Office furniture



C. M. ABRAHAMSON March 17, 1964 OFFICE FURNITURE 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledFeb. 8, 1961 March 17, 1964 c. M. ABRAHAMSON 3,125,387

OFFICE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 8, 1961 I 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 17, 1964 c.M. ABRAHAMSON 3,125,387

OFFICE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 8, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 March 17, 1964 i c.M. ABRAHAMSON 3,125,387

OFFICE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 8, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 I j g j I.

Inve 72 Zavas Garza/VA brain/2205072 2? ym gm '7 2/6: 67?? 5e March 17,1964 c. M. ABRAHAMSON 3,125,387

OFFICE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 8, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 March 1964 c. M.ABRAHAMSON 3,125,387

OFFICE FURNITURE Filed Feb. 8. 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 zzs c H I'll "W"lll'pzac 1 w. 1. W I" M" W Wm Jrzawziar .5? 63. J28 CiQwZas/KflraMsm gvz w, jammy EIIM ll H26! March 17, 1964 c. M. ABRAHAMSON OFFICEFURNITURE Filed Feb. 8, 1961 9 SheetsSheet 8 March 1964 c. M. ABRAHAMSON3, 87 I OFFICE FURNITURE 7 Filed Feb. 8, 1961 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 I O flfll 2 I WOJL' f LL? i I o o o fi United States Patent 3,125,387 OFFICEFURNITURE Charles M. Abrahamson, Aurora, lll., assiguor to All- SteelEquipment Inc., a corporation of Illinois Filed Feb. 8, 1961, Ser. No.87,897 13 Claims. (Cl. 312-195) This invention relates to ofiicefurnituresuch as desks, conference tables, bookcases, credenzas and thelike and more particularly is concerned with oflice furnitureconstructions characterized by interchangeable components and framingelements for use in various distinctive combinations in equipment ofthis general type.

Interchangeable component constructions afford a maximum of flexibilityand versatility and these features are important not only for satisfyingthe varied needs and wants of the user but also for simplifying theproblems of maintaining an adequate inventory forassuring immediateavailability of the various furniture combinations to be selected. Analmost indefinite number of arrangements can be devised from a basic setof components and this permits custom assembly of any particu- Moreover,the standardization of component construction reduces inventory andhandling problems at the factory and further emphasizes the usualadvantages of mass production techniques.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of officefurniture constructions comprised of interchangeable standardizedcomponents and matching framing ele ments: thataifordsrnaximumflexibility and versatility in the number and type of arrangements; thatpermits custom assembly of any selected arrangement; that minimizes thenumber of parts required to be stocked; that affords ease and speed ofassembly; and that makes maximum use of mass production techniques.

Briefly, the invention provides a construction having side supportmembers such as desk pedestals formed with external grooves that extendacross the top and down the side thereof, having a top member such as adesk top equipped with fixed mounting members spaced apart and matchedto the spacing and size of the grooves across the top of the sidemembers to be received and secured in nested relation therein and havingvertical legs received and secured in nested relation in the groovesdown the side of the side members.

These same features of construction are embodied in various deskconfigurations, including L-units, and in bookcase and credenza unitsand wherever size and shape admits of-it the identical components arefreely interchangeable between these various units.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will'become apparentduringthe course ofthe following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals are employed to designate like parts'throughout thesame:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a double pedestal desk unit constructedin accordance with this invention;

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view illustrating the basic deskcomponents and framing elements embodied in the double pedestal. deskunit of FIG. 1;

3,125,387 Patented Mar. 17, 1964 "ice FIG. 2 is a perspective view of adesk unit of the L-type having a side mounted offset top arrangementconstructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a fragmentary exploded perspective view illustrating thebasic desk components and framing elements embodied in the L unit deskof FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the details ofthe connection structure between the tops of the offset mounted L unitof FIG. 2;

FIG. 2C is a fragmentary detailed sectional view illustrating the jointbar arrangement of the connection structure and is taken on the line2C2C of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a desk unit of the L- type having a sidemounted flush top arrangement;

FIG. 3A is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the details ofthe connection structure between the tops of the flush mounted L unit ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 3B is a fragmentary detailed sectional view taken on the lineSIS-3B of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of a bookcase unit constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4A is an explodedperspective view illustrating the components andframing elements embodied in the bookcase unit of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a credenzaunit constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view illustrating the components andframing elements embodied in the credenza construction of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pedestal component of the type used inthe office furniture units of FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and '5;

FIG. 6A is a sectional view taken in the plane of the line 6A6A shown inFIG. 6 and particularly illustrating edge and corner constructiondetails;

FIG. 6B is a sectional view taken in the plane of the line 6B6B shown inFIG. 6 to illustrate other edge and corner construction details;

FIG. 7 is a developed view partly in section and partly in elevationillustrating details of a support leg construction and mountingarrangement utilized in the ofiice furniture units constructed inaccordance with this invention and is taken approximately on the line7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line 88 ofFIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken onthe line 9-9of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view through a center drawer structureutilized in the desks and is taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 11 and 12 are face and side views, respectively, of a C-channeland illustrates a preferred uniform pattern of mounting holes therein;

FIG. 13 is an underneath face view of the mounting hole punchingutilized in the small size tops; and

FIG. 14 is an underneath face view of'the mounting hole punchingutilized in the larger size tops.

General Description Referring now to the drawings and particularly toFIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, a variety of different office furniture unitsare illustrated in which the novel components making up each unit are ofstandardized construction and are interconnected by novel framingelements of standardized construction. In fact, where these variousdifferent units are of the same dimension, the components that comprisethe units are freely interchangeable. Thus, the components of the deskof FIG. 1 which includes a top, pedestals, and support legs can also beemployed in the L-type desk arrangements such as are shown in FIGS. 2and 3. Alternatively, the tops and pedestals utilized in the bookcase ofFIG. 4 \and the credenza of FIG.

5 are, in general, interchangeable and frequently are interchangeablewith the corresponding elements in the side mounted sections of theL-type desk units.

As the construction details of these various units are described in morespecific terms, it will become clear that the entire line of officefurniture is made up of components and framing elements of uniformarrangement and interconnection. This uniformity in the basic elementsgives the line a degree of flexibility and versatility of outstandingscope, and it will become apparent that numerous office furniturearrangements other than those shown herein for purposes of illustrativedisclosure are also possible and are contemplated.

The uniformity of the basic elements is important for standardizing andfacilitating the manufacturing operation in that the possibilities andadvantages in employing mass production techniques are greatly enhanced.The particular uniform construction depicted herein has importantadditional advantages in that it greatly facilitates actual assembly andinterconnection of the various elements.

For convenience of this disclosure, a reference character system hasbeen adopted utilizing a 100 series of numbers for FIG. 1, and so on upto a 500 series of numbers for FIG. 5. However, corresponding componentsand elements utilized in these various different units all have the samelast two digits.

In the double pedestal desk which is designated generally as 100 in FIG.1, the basic components are a top 110, pedestals I and 121,respectively, at the right-hand and left-hand ends of the top, a set offore and aft mounting channels 140 and 141, respectively, for attachmentto the top by a series of screws (not shown) and for engagement to thepedestals by means of fasteners 142, which preferably are of a typeknown as swing nuts, and a set of support legs 150 which are fixed tothe pedestals and which, for the [arrangement illustrated, act throughthe pedestal to support the top.

A separate center drawer assembly 164) is arranged for securement to themounting members 140 and 141 independently of the pedestals. Sincecenter drawers are normally an optional feature in desks, it isadvantageous in a standardized line of office furniture that it beseparately connectable to the top. This facilitates the subsequentremoval or attachment of a center drawer without requiring majordisassembly.

Finally, the desk is shown equipped with a knee space panel 170 that hasinturned opposite side edge flanges 171 each apertured adjacent itsupper and lower ends for receiving mounting screws 172 that areengageable in false filler channels 151 provided along the inboard sideface of each pedestal, full length support legs on both sides of thepedestals being unnecessary. It will be apparent that where desired thedesks may be equipped with island leg units of any suitable type inwhich even false filler channels are utilized on both sides of bothpedestals.

In the L-type desk unit construction shown in FIG. 2, correspondingcomponents are given reference characters in the 200 series, but thelast two digits of the reference characters are identical for thecorresponding elements of the double pedestal desk.

It will be noted that in the case of the L-type desk unit, no pedestalis provided on the right side of the desk, its function being fulfilledby an end support panel 280 fitted with gusset plate type mountingbrackets 281 for supporting engagement with the top mounting members 240and 241. In this instance, the knee space panel 274; is horizontallyelongated and at one end is fixed to the desk pedestal 221, and at theother end to the end support panel 280. The end support panel 280 isbasically like a vertical side wall of a pedestal in that it hasexternal vertical mounting grooves for receiving support legs 250 and ithas mounting holes 232H at the lower ends of the grooves for receivingmounting screws 232.

The vertically offset side mounted desk section of FIG. 2 also has a top21%, an end pedestal 220, and knee space panel 270' and a verticallyextending angle bracket adaptor 282 connecting the knee space panel 270to the end panel 280 of the main desk section. These latter elementswith the exception of the adaptor 282 are standardized components andhave application in other furniture arrangements. Special connectionfacilities, as shown in FIG. 2B, are provided to anchor the top mountingmembers 240 and 241 of the side mounted desk section to the adjacent topmounting member 240 of the main desk section.

In L-type desk units having offset tops, it is desirable from thestandpoint of appearance and compatability with adjacent desk units thatthe lower elevation line of the pedestal and knee space panel members belocated in the same plane. In the furniture arrangements of thisinvention, therefore, the pedestal 220 for the side mounted desk sectionis of lesser height than the pedestal 221 for the main desk section. Thedifference in the height dimension of these pedestal units being equalto the amount of offset of the tops, and this standardized relationshipis built into the size gradations of the pedestal units and is a featureof the present line.

In FIG. 3, there is shown an L-type desk unit having a flush top sidemounted desk section and it will be understood that for this arrangementthe components of the main desk section, such as the top 310, thepedestal 321, the top mounting members and knee space panel (notvisible), and the end support panel 380 are identical to thecorresponding elements in the main desk section of FIG. 2. The elementsthat comprise the side mounted sections in FIGS. 2 and 3 correspond andare numbered accordingly and in the case of FIG. 3 are of greatervertical dimension in order to match the lines of the main desk section.In addition, in the full height side mounted desk section of FIG. 3 afront apron 373 may be provided along the underneath edge of the top 310to match with the lines of the center drawer 360 of the main desksection.

In the bookcase of FIG. 4, the pedestals 420 and 421 are equipped withshelves rather than drawers but otherwise are identical with deskpedestals. One of the bookcase pedestals is engaged to the mountingmembers 440 and 441 fixed to the underface of the top and on its outerface the support legs 450 are secured in identical fashion to thatdescribed previously. Where common center support legs 453 are to besecured between adjacent faces of the bookcase pedestals the secondpedestal is engaged to the mounting members only by fasteners located onthe attachment pads at its outermost face. The center support legs 453may also be omitted in favor of suitable interlocking elements betweenthe upper and lower ends of the inner faces of the pedestals. It willalso be apparent that in bookcases, the outer support legs 450 may, ifdesired, be replaced by false filler channels with the bookcasepedestals being mounted on island leg units.

The credenza unit of FIG. 5 is more like the bookcase units than likethe desk units in that, in actual practice, the pedestals for bookcasesand credenzas are generally of the same dimensions. In the particularcredenza unit illustrated, a double width pedestal 522 having a curtaindoor is shown at the left-hand end and identical drawer pedestals 520and 521 are shown at the right-hand end. Full length support legs 550are provided at the pedestal faces at the opposite ends of the top whilespecial interlocking elements are provided to secure the upper and lowerends of the adjacent inner faces of the pedestal units.

Assuming the pedestal 522 is first installed, the fasteners 542 on theinner face thereof are equipped with reinforcement pads 542R arranged tounderlie the attachment pad at the upper end of the adjacent face ofpedestal 521. Fasteners are not provided on this side of pedestal 521.Similarly, the other face of pedestal 521 has its fasteners equippedwith reinforcement pads 542R arranged to underlie the attachment pads ofthe adjacent face of pedare provided in bookcase pedestals.

estal 520. Tap clips 543 are secured between the lower attachment padsof adjacent pedestal faces.

'It will be apparent that symmetrical construction of the credenzapedestals accommodates full interchangeability for providing othercredenza arrangements such Pedestal Construction The pedestals utilizedin the various desk, bookcase and credenza units of'FIGS. V1 to 5basically are all of the same construction though the shape and size ofthe various physical embodiments range rather widely to meet the variousapplications which exist in a full line of furniture.

For example, the various desk arrangements utilize ped specificapplication to desksit will be appreciated that the same constructionand mounting details are incorporated in pedestals for the side mountedsections of desks and in pedestals for bookcases and'credenzas. Thistypical pedestal takes the 'form of a hollowbox-shaped structure that isopen at its front and at its top. The front is open to receive drawersin the case of desk pedestals or curtain arrangements'in the case ,ofcredenzas or merely'to provide access to support shelves such asThetopisopen to conserve material since in the usual arrangement thepedestals are mounted beneath a separate -.top';member as in the unitsillustrated in eachof FIGS. 1 to 5 and are in flush-faced engagementwith the surface of the top.

The pedestal has endless external grooves 123 and v124 encircling it invertical planes adjacent its;front and back ends respectively and it iscomprised of a rectangular front end frame 125, a rectangularrear endframe 126,

side panels 127 and a bottom panel 128 that connectthe end frames inparallel foreand aft spaced registering relation. A rear panel 129 isrecessed into and spansthe rear end frame. The mounting groove 123-islocatedin recessed relation in the front end frame 125 and the mountinggroove 124 is located in recessedrelation in the rear end frame 126.

The front end frame is comprised of right-angularly connected top,bottom and side rails 125T, 125B and .1258, respectively, andcorrespondingly the rear end frame is comprised of 'right-angularlyconnected top, bottom and side rails 126T, 126B, and 1268, respectively,the cross-sectional configurations of these rails beingshown .in FIGS.6A and 6B. Therails of .the front end frame are all of identical angularcross-sectional configuration 'and have a channel shaped main bodyportion 125C forming the mounting groove 123 and terminating along itsrear side in a rearwardly extending flange portion'125F. The main bodyportion has a channel forming web 125W .along its front side with theweb 125W terminating in a rearward ly projecting inside wall edge thatprovides a neat finished appearance at the inner periphery of the frontend of the pedestal.

The rails of the rear end frame are all of identical cross-sectionalconfiguration and correspond generally to the configuration of the railsof the front end frame in that they comprise a channel shaped main bodypor- 127E along its top and bottom ends and secured at the corners ofthe end frames by welding as indicated at 130 in FIG. 6.Correspondingly, the bottom panel 128 of the pedestal is provided withend flanges 128F engageable in the bottom portion of the grooves of theend frames.

As is best seen in FIG. 6, the rails of both the front and rear endframes have horizontally projecting attachment pads 131 at the uppercorners of the pedestal and .have vertically projecting dependingattachment pads 132 at the lower corners of the pedestal. Preferably,these pads are located wholly within the confines of the mountinggrooves of the pedestal and the upper attachment pads 131 are equippedwith a swing nut type of screw fastener 142 which is engageable in theC-channels and 141 carried on the underface of the tops (see FIG. 1A)while the bottom attachment pads 142 are arranged for attachment to thesupport legs 15%) or leg stringers 151 of the various furniture itemsshown herein.

In FIG. 6 it is also indicated that the channel shaped main bodyportions 125C and 126C of the vertical side rails of the end frames aresuitably punched to accommodate guide rails for the drawers of deskpedestals. A drawer slide arrangement such as is shown in Abrahamson etal. Patent No. 2,743,149 is preferred. Where the pedestal is utilized ina bookcase or credenza unit the usual support shelves and such detailswill be apparent to those skilled in this art.

C-Channels In a present'line of equipment the C-channels which areprovided for attachment to the underface of the top to facilitate theassembly of the various elements, are provided in a range of sizes from21" to 81" in 3" increments and in the present practice of the inventionthe 0- channels of 57", 63", 69" and 75" lengths have special side holepunchings for engagement with fasteners utilized in securing the sidemounted sections of L-type desk units.

A C-channel is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 as having a line of mountingholes 43 spaced apart on 1 /2" centers along its attachment face andextending from one end to the other thereof and on each end of each sideflange it is provided with an end hole 44 and a cooperating mountinghole 45 matched to the punching of the gusset plates 281 such as areshown in FIG. 2A. The spacing of these holes is standardized at thedimensions applied to FIG. 11 and all C-channels regardless of lengthmay have this basic punching configuration.

C-channels which are used with the 54 and 60 inch tops foroptionalconnection to 13" side mounted desk sections have another hole 47 spaced8 inwardly from the gusset plate hole 45. Correspondingly,G-channels'for 66" base sets in addition to the hole 47 whichaccommodates connection to 18" L-units have another hole 48 toaccommodate connection to 24" L-units. Finally, the C-channels for 60",66", 72" and 78" base sets in addition to the hole 47 for use with 18"L-units and the hole 48 for use with 24" L-units have still another hole49 for use with 30 L-units.

Tops

The tops 110 shown herein are preferably constructed in accordance withthe teachings of Grube Patent No. 2,911,274. The underface of the topsare prepunched in accordance with standardized practice. Tops of a widthof 18, 24" and 30 as shown in FIG. 13 have a single row of holes on 3"centers adjacent each of its lengthwise edges, whereas tops of 36" and42 width have two double rows of holes adjacent each of its lengthwiseedges, the holes again being on 3" centers and the adjacent rows beingspaced 3" apart. The double row hole arrangement of these wider tops ofFIG. 14 accommodates offset connection of the C-channels and hence ofthe entire base set. The pedestals may thus be mounted in offsetrelation to the top so that the top may overhang at the front or rearside thereof as desired. In addition the hole punchings in the top andin the C-channels accommodate endwise offsets to permit the top tooverhang at either the left or right side of the unit.

Legs

Various different leg arrangements are used in the present line offurniture and in general the legs are constructed for mountin in nestedrelation in the vertical grooves of the pedestals or where end panelsare used they are mounted in nesting arrangement in the vertical groovesprovided in these end panels.

The support legs which are designated 150, 250, 350, 450 and 55% inFIGS. 1 to 5, respectively, are formed of hexagonal tubing having itsupper end notched out on its inside or concealed face in order toaccommodate and mask the upper attachment pads 131 of the pedestals andthe fasteners associated therewith.

The mounting details for these support legs, such as are designated d,d, 359, 450 and 559 in FIGS. 1 to 5, respectively, are best shown inFIG. 7 wherein a leg 150 is shown applied within a groove of a pedestaland, for anchoring the leg, each upper attachment pad of the pedestal isprovided with a downwardly directed U- clip 134 having a mounting slot1348 in each arm or tab thereof. Each support leg is notched out at itsupper end to match and socket into the slots in the U-clip. Each supportleg is also provided with a screw hole 15H located along its inside faceand equipped with a Riv nut 150N for receiving a screw fastener 1508that is engaged in the corresponding lower attachment pad 132 of thepedestal. Finally, each support leg 150 is shown equipped with athreadedly adjustable foot 15tlF.

To install the leg, the notched side of the upper end of the leg isfirst engaged or socketed into the slots of the U-clip 134 with the legthen being swung into nested relation in the groove, whereupon the screw1508 is secured through the lower attachment pad 132 and into the Rivnut 15tiN in the hole in the bottom end of the leg. It may be seen thatthe lower attachment pad 132 is offset slightly outwardly from the planeof the main wall defining the groove. The clip 134 at the upper end ofthe groove is correspondingly outwardly offset.

The false filler channels, such as are shown at 151 and 251 in FIGS. 1and 2, are of channel shaped configuration and are equipped withmounting pads 155 and 156, respectively, braced thereacross adjacenttheir upper and lower ends. The mounting pad 155 at the upper end isengageahle or socketed into the slots of the U-clip 134 and the pad 156at the lower end is provided with a tapped hole for receiving a mountingscrew that projects through the attachment pad at the bottom of thepedestal. It should be apparent that where the desk pedestals areequipped with island leg units mounted therebeneath, the false fillerchannels would be used on both the inner and outer faces of thepedestal.

Center Drawers The center drawer assemblies such as are used in the deskof FIGS. 1 and 2 are completely separate and independently mountedstructures. The mounting frame for a center drawer assembly, as is bestshown in FIGS. 1A and 10, includes a pair of side guide rails 161 forreceiving slides (not shown) on the center drawer 162 and front and rearbridging rails 163 connecting between corresponding ends of the guiderails 161. The rear bridging rail has a right angled abutment flange163A depending from its main section and has vertical straps or endflanges 163E connected to the side rails to support the main body of thebridging rail in spaced relation thereabove. The front bridging rail hasa corresponding right angled abutment flange 163A on its main sectionand corresponding vertical straps 163E at opposite ends and connected tothe side rails. Each bridging rail is apertured adjacent its oppositeends to receive a mounting screw 164 for attachment clamps 165 whichextend in cantilever fashion from the bridging rails and have endflanges 165E enterable upwardly into the C-channel pockets to engagebehind the C-channels ledges. Tightening of the mounting screws 164locks the center drawer mounting frame at any selected position alongthe C-channels and this permits the center drawer mounting frame to beapplied either prior to assembly of the related pedestal structures orafter, as desired. The side rails of the center drawer mounting framemay be patterned after the drawer mounting slides of the aforesaidAbrahamson et al. Patent No. 2,743,149 and they are arranged to receivedrawer mounted slides which also may be constructed in accordance withthe teachings in the Abrahamson et 211. patent.

Assembly In accordance with the present invention the furniturestructures are assembled in inverted relationship and, in general, theinvention offers the important advantage of permitting all assembly workto be performed externally. In the assembly the desk top is first placedon the floor with its prepunched underneath face uppermost and the holeswhich are punched on 3" centers in the tops allow a selection of theattachment position for the C-channels and 141 which are then placed onthe exposed face of the top. The C-channels have holes punched on 1 /2"centers. In the description herein the term base set as applied to thedesks or other units refers to the C-channels plus the supportstructures such as the pedestals or the end support panels and thelength of the base set is therefore equal to the length of theC-channels that are employed.

With the C-channels 140 and 141 fixed in place on the top and accuratelyspaced apart in accordance with the relationship of the holes in thetop, the C-channels mate to and nest within the grooves of the pedestalsto permit of setting each pedestal on the top with the upper end of thepedestal resting flush against the underface of the top. The attachmentlugs 131 at the upper corners of each pedestal are located adjacent tothe C-channels and are equipped with swing nuts 142 and when thepedestal is properly positioned endwise relative to the top the swingnuts are enterable into the pockets of the C-channels and, upontightening thereof, are engaged behind the ledges of the C-channels. Itwill be apparent that with this construction the position of thepedestal is selectable along the length of the C-channel.

After the swing nuts 142 in the four upper attachment pads 131 of thepedestals are securely fastened in the C-channels 140 and 14-1, thesupport legs are fitted into place by first hooking the notched upperend thereof within the slots of the U-elip 134 within the vertical runof the mounting groove of the pedestal and then swinging the leg intofully nested relation within the groove where it is secured by a legscrew 1508 in the lower corner attachment pad 132 of the pedestals. Theupper attachment pads 131 and swing nut fasteners 142 are masked withinthe upper ends of the legs and the lower attachment pad 132 is retainedfully within the pedestal groove and therefore these elements are notvisible nor are they subject to catching or snagging on anything oranyone.

The fillers 151 on the inner faces of the pedestals are attached in asimilar fashion. It is preferable that these fillers project beyond thevertical face of the desk pedestals to a distance on the order of.%".The fillers at the rear of the desk are provided with screw holes adjacent the upper and lower ends of their external'face for use inattaching the knee space panel 170 by means of the screws 172.

The lower ones of the mounting screws 172 can function as pivot axlesfor swingably mounting the knee space panel 170, this being achievedsimply by removing the upper mounting screws and loosening the lowerscrews slightly. In this connection it is desirable that side clearancebe provided to accommodate swinging movement of the panel without fearof scratching or otherwise marring the adjacent pedestal face. For thispurpose the filler channels 151 project beyond theplane of the pedestalface.

It will also be noted that the screw holes in the upper and lowerattachmentpads 1'31 and 132 are identically spaced on both faces of thepedestal and the support legs 150 and filler channels 151 .have.identical matching mounting hole arrangements to permit of freeinterchangeability of the various parts.

The center drawer assembly 160, as mentioned previously, may be securedin position either prior to or after the attachment of the pedestals.

The assembly procedures for the other units of this line of furnitureare generally like those described with reference to the desk of FIG. 1.The present line features matching hole spacings throughout the entireline of components and framing members and this gives the equipmentversatility and interchangeability unequaled in this art.

L-Unit Connection Details In the side mounted offset top L-unit deskarrangement shown in FIGS. 2, 2A, 2B and'ZC, special connectors in theform of joint plugs 290 are provided for connecting the C-channels 240'and 241" to a drop mounting bracket 291 which is in turn secured to anapron 292 that has integral end flanges 292F for attachment to end panel280 at one end and to the adjacent side guide rail 261 of the centerdrawer assembly. Each joint plug 290 is of inverted channel-shapedcross-sectional configuration for slidable insertion endwise into thepocket of the C-channels 240 and 241 and has a C-shaped locator band290C secured externally thereon by welding or other suitable means. Eachjoint plug is provided with holes 290H matched to the spacing ofmounting holes of the C-channels 240' and 241.

In assembling an L-unit'desk the apron 292 is first secured in abuttingunderlying relation along the end of the C-channel 240 that is affixedto the main desk top 210, this apron being anchored by means of screws2928 which project through'its end flanges 292F into the end supportpanel 280 and side guide rail 261 of the center drawer assembly. Thedrop mounting bracket 291 has an inwardly directed lip 291U along itsupper edge and provided with spaced apertures for receiving mountingscrews 291Swhich are equipped with swing nuts that are to be anchored inthe C-channel. The drop mounting bracket has an outwardly turned lip291L along its lower edge. The vertical wall portion of the bracket291'located immediately above the lip 291L is apertured to receivemounting screws 291M which project horizontally therethrough to engagein a tapped hole provided in a vertical end flange 290F.on the jointplug 290. Tightening of the mounting screws 291M then draws the --toptightto the bracket .291 with a filler block 293 clamped therebetween.

With the main desk section completely assembled and with the apron 292,the drop mounting bracket 291, the joint plugs 290, and the filler block293 properly assembled thereto,. and with theside desk sectioncompletely assembled, the desk 'sectionsare readily interconnected byfitting the joint plugs 290 into the C-chan- It) nels 240' and 241'.When the parts are in properly assembled relation, the bolt holes of thejoint plugs will be in registry with the bolt holes in the C-channelsand a bolt 294 and nut 295 is then secured in each set of registeringholes to lock the desk sections in predetermined fixed relationship.

In the side mounted flush top L-unit desk arrangement shown in FIGS. 3,3A, and 3B, an identical joint plug structure 390 equipped with aC-shaped locator band 390C and having corresponding bolts holes forregistry with bolt holes in the C-channels340' of the side mounted desksection is again employed. The joint plug includes an integralupstanding apertured flange 390F to abut against the side face of theC-channel 340 of the main desk section. One of the joint plugs registerswith the end mounting hole 44 of the G-channel while the other jointplug registers with the mounting hole 47 (see FIG. 3B), with throughbolts 394 anchoring in tapped holes in the joint plug end flanges 390Fto draw the joint plug towards the C-channel. An apron 392 is shownunderlying the C-channel 340 of the main desk section.

The simplicity of this arrangement for connecting the flush mountedL-unit and the ease of assembly will be apparent in view of theforegoing description.

What is claimed is:

1. In a construction of the class described, in combination a top, abox-shaped support pedestal having exterior recesses having horizontalportions extending across the upper end of said pedestal and verticalportions extending down opposite side Walls thereof, means including aset of mounting members secured to said top and nestable in thehorizontal recesses across the upper end of said pedestal and fastenersreceivable in the upper end of the vertical recesses to engage saidmounting membersfor securing said pedestals to said top and a separateleg shaped member in each vertical recess to mask the fastener at theupper end thereof.

2. In a construction that includes a top, a base set of elongatedmounting members fixed to the underside of the top to extend endwisethereof and in parallel laterally spaced apart relation, and supportstructures for opposite ends of the top, the improvement wherein one ofsaid support structures is of box-shaped .configuration and has fulllength horizontal recesses across its upper end and disposed in parallelspaced apart relation for receiving said mounting members and hasvertical recesses intersecting said horizontal recesses, said onesupport structure having horizontal mounting pads overhanging saidvertical recesses, fasteners located at the upper end of said verticalrecesses and securing said mounting pads to said mounting members, aseparate leg-shaped member in each vertical recess to mask the mountingpad and fastener at the upper end thereof and means fixing eachleg-shaped member to said one support structure.

3. In a construction that includes a top having attachment surfaces atpredetermined locations on itsunderneath side and support structures foropposite ends of the top and connected thereto, the improvement whereinone of said support structures is of box-shaped configuration and hasvertical exterior recesses along its'opposite vertical walls, said onesupport structure having horizontal mounting'walls fixed thereon atlocations overhanging said recesses and registrable with said attachmentsurfaces, fasteners located at the upper end of said recesses andsecuring said mounting walls to said attachment surfaces, a separate legshaped member extending lengthwise in each recess to mask the mountingwall and fastener at the upper end thereof and means fixing each memberto said one support structure to retain each member in its correspondingrecess.

4. In a construction that includes a top having attachment surfaces atpredetermined locations on its underneath side and support structuresfor opposite ends of ill the top and connected thereto, the improvementwherein one of said support structures is a drawer pedestal ofbox-shaped configuration and has mounting pads rigidly mounted thereonand projecting horizontally from selected points adjacent each of itsupper corners for register with said attachment surfaces, fastenerssecuring said mounting pads to said attachment surfaces to lock said onesupport structure to said top, a separate leg shaped member fixed tosaid one support structure to extend vertically therealong and mask eachseparate mounting pad and fastener and means fixing each member to saidone support structure.

5. A construction of the class described and comprising a horizontaltop, a set of horizontally elongated mounting members fixed to theunderside of the top to extend endwise thereof and in parallel spacedapart relation therebeneath, each of said mounting members having avertical side wall provided with a series of holes spaced aparthorizontally therealong, support structures for opposite ends of thetop, at least one of said support structures comprising a vertical paneloffset from and spanning the ends of said mounting members, gussetplates fixed to said panel adjacent its opposite upper corners to extendadjacent and alongside the vertical side Walls of said mounting members,and fasteners carried by said gusset plates and projecting through saidholes to engage said plates to said mounting members for fixing saidpanel in supporting position beneath one end of said top.

6. A construction of the class described and comprising, a top having anunderneath plate provided with a series of holes in predeterminedarrangement, a base set of elongated form and provided with a series ofholes in predetermined arrangement for registration with the holes inthe top at selected predetermined spaced positions end to end and foreand aft of said top, and means engageable through the holes in said topand said base set for fastening said base set to said top at apredetermined selected position, said base set having elongatedattachment surfaces extending in a direction end to end of said top,support structure mounted beneath said base set adjacent opposite endsthereof, and means engageable in said support structure and interlockedwith said attachment surfaces to secure said support structure to saidbase set at any selected position therealong.

7. A construction of the class described and comprising a top having anunderneath plate provided with a series of holes in predeterminedarrangement, a base set of elongated form and provided with a series ofholes in predetermined arrangement for registration with the holes inthe top at selected predetermined spaced positions end to end and foreand aft of said top, and means engageable through the holes in said topand said base set for fastening said base set to said top at apredetermined selected position, said base set having elongatedattachment surfaces extending in a direction end to end of said top,support structure mounted beneath said base set adjacent opposite endsthereof, said support structure having mounting pads fixed at pointsthereon spaced apart endwise of said top to project horizontallytherefrom, and fasteners in said mounting pads and engageable with saidattachment surfaces to secure said support structure to said base set atany selected position therealong.

8. A pedestal construction for universal application in desks,bookcases, credenzas and the like and comprising a front end frame ofrectangular cross-sectional configuration and having an outwardlyopening mounting groove disposed in externally exposed recessed relationtherein at a location adjacent its rearward edge, a rear end frame ofcorresponding rectangular cross-sectional configuration and having anoutwardly opening mounting groove disposed in externally exposedrecessed relation therein at a location adjacent its forward edge, andbottom and side panels bridged between said front and rear end framesand having front and rear edge flanges, said front edge flanges beingengaged in the rear region of the groove of said front frame and saidrear edge flanges being engaged in the front region of the groove ofsaid rear frame to lock said end frames together and provide a hollowboxshaped body having exterior grooves encircling said body in parallelspaced apart relation.

9. A matched set of components and framing elements for assembly into anarticle of furniture that has a top, side members supporting said top atopposite ends thereof and legs on said side members, said matched setcomprising a top component having a flat lengthwise and transverselyextending underface provided with prepunched transversely spaced rows ofmounting holes, with the holes in each row being spaced lengthwise inpredetermined relation, elongated mounting elements having a prepunchedline of holes for lengthwise alignment and registry at various differentselectable positions with the mounting holes of said top component tolocate said mounting elements in various different lengthwise spacedpositions relative to said top component, side support members atopposite ends of said top and having side member attachment facilitatiesspaced apart transversely in accordance with the row spacing and matchedto said mounting elements for fixed engagement therewith, said sidemembers having vertical exterior grooves aligned with said side memberattachment facilities and said side members also being provided with legattachment facilities in predetermined vertically spaced relation, andlegs nestable in said grooves and having complementary vertically spacedattachment facilities for engagement with the last named leg attachmentfacilities.

10. A construction of the class described comprising a separate top,support structures connected to said top beneath regions of the topadjacent and offset inwardly of opposite ends thereof, one of saidsupport structures including a vertical outer side wall extendingcrosswise beneath one end of said top, said wall having a verticallyextending recess, a vertical support leg nested in said recess andextending beneath said wall, a vertical pad rigid with and dependingfrom said Wall at the lower end of said recess, said pad and said leghaving corresponding holes, attachment structure at the upper end ofsaid leg supportingly engageable with cooperating attachment structureon said wall adjacent the upper end of said recess to mount said leg insaid recess with said holes in register and fastener means in said holesto fix said leg to said pad.

11. A matched set of components and framing elements for assembly intoan article of furniture that has a top, side members supporting said topat opposite ends thereof and legs on said side members, said matched setcomprising a top component having a flat lengthwise and transverselyextending underface provided with prepunched transversely spaced rows ofmounting holes, with the holes in each row being spaced lengthwise inpredetermined relation, elongated mounting elements having a prepunchedline of holes for lengthwise alignment and registry at various differentselectable positions with the mounting holes of said top component tolocate said mounting elements in various different lengthwise spacedpositions relative to said top component means underlying one end ofsaid top and connected in rigid supporting relation thereto, a supportpedestal to engage underneath the other end of said top and having anupper face provided with a pair of horizontal recesses spaced apart inaccordance with said row spacing and matched to said mounting elementsto receive said mounting elements within said recesses, first attachmentfacilities to engage between said pedestal and each of said mountingelements, said pedestal having side wall structure provided with a pairof spaced apart coextensive vertical exterior recesses, said side wallstructure having leg attachment facilities in predetermined verticallyspaced relation along each of said vertical recesses, and a separate legnestable in each vertical recess and having complementary verticallyspaced amass? 13 attachment facilities for engagement with the lastnamed leg attachment facilities.

12. A matched set in accordance with claim 11 and wherein each of saidmounting elements is a Q-channel having an elongated opening facingdownwardly and flanked by attachment ledges and said first attachmentfacilities comprise separate fasteners each to engage said pedestal andproject upwardly through the opening of the corresponding channel toengage in overlying relation with the ledges thereof.

13. A construction of the class described and comprising a top having anunderneath plate provided with a series of holes in predeterminedarrangement, a set of C channels each provided with a series of holes inpredetermined arrangement for registration with the holes in said plateat selected predetermined spaced positions end to end and fore and aftof said top, means engageable through the holes in said plates and saidC-channels for fastening said C-channels to said top in a predeterminedspaced position, each of said C-channels having an elongated openingfacing downwardly and flanked by attachment ledge portions thereof,separate support structures mounted beneath said top adjacent oppositeends thereof, and a plurality of separate fasteners engaged in eachsupport structure and projecting upwardly through the opening of thecorresponding channel to engage in overling relation with the ledgeportions thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS194,890 Camp Sept. 4, 1877 1,115,996 Wilson Nov. 3, 1914 1,292,946Yawman Jan. 28, 1919 1,918,780 Rand July 18, 1933 2,240,767 Friedel May6, 1941 2,576,409 Michaelis Nov. 27, 1951 2,686,704 Wolters Aug. 17,1954 2,759,779 Bergman Aug. 21, 1956 2,778,703 McBride Jan. 22, 19572,915,351 Shinn Dec. 1, 1959 2,940,804 Bullock June 14, 1960 2,973,232Knoll Feb. 28, 1961 2,992,055 Kass July 11, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 162,779Great Britain May 3, 1921 579,684 Great Britain Aug. 13, 1946 679,312Great Britain Sept. 17, 1952 787,825 Great Britain Dec. 18, 1957

1. IN A CONSTRUCTION OF THE CLASS DESCRIBED, IN COMBINATION A TOP, A BOX-SHAPED SUPPORT PEDESTAL HAVING EXTERIOR RECESSES HAVING HORIZONTAL PORTIONS EXTENDING ACROSS THE UPPER END OF SAID PEDESTAL AND VERTICAL PORTIONS EXTENDING DOWN OPPOSITE SIDE WALLS THEREOF, MEANS INCLUDING A SET OF MOUNTING MEMBERS SECURED TO SAID TOP AND NESTABLE IN THE HORIZONTAL RECESSES ACROSS THE UPPER END OF SAID PEDESTAL AND FASTENERS RECEIVABLE IN THE UPPER END OF THE VERTICAL RECESSES TO ENGAGE SAID MOUNTING MEMBERS FOR SECURING SAID PEDESTALS TO SAID TOP AND A SEPARATE LEG SHAPED MEMBER IN EACH VERTICAL RECESS TO MASK THE FASTENER AT THE UPPER END THEREOF. 